FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO IS CHIROPRACTIC FOR?
Chiropractors see people of all ages from all walks of life. Everyone can benefit from having a spine free of pain, thus allowing a healthy body. We work with newborn babies, children, pregnant women, sports people and adults of all ages including the elderly. The techniques we use will often vary due to the age and the needs of our clients.
WHAT IS A SUBLUXATION?
A subluxation occurs when one or more vertebrae (spinal bones) lock up and loses proper free movement. When this happens pressure may be placed on the nerves carrying information between the brain and body, ultimately affecting the performance of the body. See the subluxation section for more detailed information.
HOW DOES SUBLUXATION OCCUR?
Subluxations occur due to stress placed on the body that it is unable to deal with effectively. Stress may come in the form of:
Physical Stress – a car accident, fall, prolonged poor posture or even being born.
Emotional Stress – grief, anxiety, depression and anger.
Chemical Stress – toxins in the environment, smoking, alcohol or even prescribed medications.
HOW IS A SUBLUXATION CORRECTED
The only way to correct subluxations is through a chiropractic adjustment. Massage and exercise, while beneficial, will not correct these problems. Many different techniques are used depending upon the chiropractor and the patient. Some techniques involve applying a very quick, specific thrust into the joint, others utilize adjusting instruments that apply a very gentle specific force, and others use special adjusting tables with pieces that drop away. If you are worried about being adjusted, don’t like the noise, or have preferences then please let us know. Your preferences will always guide us as to which techniques we choose.
DO I NEED TO KEEP COMING?
At Te Awamutu family Chiropracticwe work with you to determine the best course of care for you. For some people this will be short-term pain relief, others require more intensive correction, and others see chiropractic as part of their regular healthcare routine. Because the spine is constantly under stress with daily life, we do recommend regular wellness checks. This way we act as the fence at the top of the hill (as opposed to the bottom) by preventing episodes of acute ‘back pain’ and enabling the body to function optimally through having a spine that is free from nerve interference. Not many health professions provide this natural preventative healthcare, and only Chiropractors analyse, locate and correct vertebral subluxations. We will always recommend the best options for your health, but ultimately the choice is yours.
CAN BABIES BE ADJUSTED?
Absolutely! The techniques used are vastly different from those used to adjust adults. We adjust newborns with the same pressure as you would to check for a ripe tomato. This is extremely gentle and often babies can remain asleep throughout the chiropractic check. We recommend that babies get checked as soon as possible after birth, as even the most natural, straight-forward births, can place undue stresses in a newborn spine. See our section on children for more information.
DO I NEED X-RAYS?
Our Chiropractors will determine whether you need x-rays based on the information gathered from your health history and examination. It is not routine for us to x-ray all patients. If x-rays are required, in order for us to provide you with safe chiropractic care, then you will be given a referral to our local radiology clinic.
I DONT HAVE ANY PAIN. SHOULD I STILL GET MY SPINE CHECKED?
Definitely! Spinal checks are a little like having your car serviced or seeing the dentist to make sure your teeth don’t rot. We want to make sure your body is working 100% the way it was intended to. Why wait until you break down? Less than 10% of your nerves are involved in transmitting pain information, so if these nerves are affected by a subluxation you might not feel the problem; however other areas of your body such as your heart or digestive system may be affected.
WHAT MAKES THE SOUND DURING THE ADJUSTMENT?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. The sound is interesting, but isn’t a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
ARE ALL PATIENTS ADJUSTED THE SAME WAY?
No. Each patient’s spine and care plan is unique. With 24 moving bones in the spine (that can each move in seven different directions!) we see a wide variety of spinal patterns. Each patient’s care is custom tailored for their age, condition and health goals. You are unique and your care should be too.
CAN I HAVE CHIROPRACTIC CARE AFTER BACK SURGERY?
Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level. These areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
CAN PATIENTS WITH OSTEOPOROSIS GET CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
Of course. When developing a care plan, your chiropractic doctor considers the unique circumstances of each patient. There are many ways to adjust the spine. The method selected will be best suited to your age, size and health.
HOW LONG UNTIL ILL FEEL BETTER?
Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or months. Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke? Are you in otherwise good condition? Within a short period of time most patients sense enough progress to fully complete their doctor’s recommendations.
HOW LONG WILL I NEED CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
After patients get the relief they want, many choose to continue with some type of periodic care. These patients show up for their visits feeling great. These visits can help support the final stages of healing and help detect and resolve new problems before they become serious. Our job is to offer the very best care and your job is to decide how much of it you want.
STILL UNSURE IF CHIROPRACTIC IS FOR YOU?
We offer a no obligation, free spine check. This allows us to assess your spine and let you know if you are a candidate for chiropractic care. This visit provides you with the relevant information, and from there you can decide what route you take.
If chiropractic is not appropriate for you at this time, we will also give recommendations as to which form of healthcare would best suit you, or refer you back to your G.P for further investigations.
